​Myths about learning drums

1. You need a drum set to start. No, many drummers have stories of spending an extended period working on the drum pad and mastering basic rudiments and developing some time sense before moving onto the kit.
2. You need a full kit. High hat, bass drum, snare, and one ride are the core of a drum set. Music can be made on just those four instruments.
3. You can teach yourself. Yes, if you are a genius. But even then, YouTube drummers often are lagging because fundamentals where never learned in the order required. Their grip can be wonky, elbows flapping, feet  flaying, cymbals being trashed. Drummer in a blender syndrome I call it. And don’t mention time feel, control, and endurance. It’s all brute force and perspiration. Cool when you are 14, not so cool at 17.
4. It’s easy. The four basic drums beats are easy to get under the hands and feet. Time, balance, musicianship, fills, as deep as you want to go.
5. Rock is easier to play than jazz or vice versa. If you play one genre, try the other. You will discover the truth soon enough.
6. Drummers don’t need to read music. True, but it will narrow your opportunities. And, learning new music and remembering it will be time consuming. Easy when you are a teen, harder as an adult with responsibilities.
7. Drummers don’t need hearing protection. That’s up there with the myth that Covid is a hoax. You do.

David